From the musical “Sweet Adeline”, 1929
Words by Oscar Hammerstein IInd
Music by Jerome Kern
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Spending these lonesome evenings
With nothing to do
But to live in dreams that I make up
All by myself
Dreaming that you’re beside me
I picture the prettiest stories
Only to wake up
All by myself
What is the good of me by myself?
Refrain:
Why was I born? Why am I living?
What do I get? What am I giving?
Why do I want a thing I daren’t hope for?
What can I hope for? I wish I knew
Why do I try to draw you near me?
Why do I do I cry? You never hear me
I’m a poor fool, but what can I do?
Why was I born to love you?